6 D.C. Council members throw support to Dean

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D.C. Council members yesterday said it "isn't too early" to endorse Howard Dean as the preferred candidate for the next president of the United States.

Six of the eleven Democratic council members praised the former Vermont governor for his support of congressional voting rights for the District and his stance on homosexual civil unions. The endorsement gave Mr. Dean an opportunity to discredit recent news reports that he cannot appeal to minority voters, considering his constituency in Vermont is 98 percent white.

"This is one of the most diverse, representative cities in the nation. It is 60 percent black, 35 percent white, and 10 percent Latino and Asian," Mr. Dean said.

"One of the big raps against us is our campaign doesn't have enough support from ethnicities other than whites, 35 and older. Well, behind me is the District of Columbia, so I think we can put that notion to rest."

Two of the council members endorsing the current Democratic front-runner in the presidential campaign -- Adrian M. Fenty, Ward 4, and Vincent B. Orange, Ward 5 -- are black.

The other Democratic members of the council who endorsed Mr. Dean included Kathy Patterson, Ward 3; Sharon Ambrose, Ward 6; Jim Graham, Ward 1; and council Vice Chairman Jack Evans, Ward 2.

Council members also praised Mr. Dean for giving some validity to the District's first-in-the-nation primary. Mr. Dean has been actively campaigning in the city, calling council members and the local black newspapers repeatedly for interviews.

The Washington Times has reported that the Jan. 13 "advisory" primary -- preceding New Hampshire's primary and the Iowa caucuses -- is nonbinding with no delegates to be selected after a deal struck with Democratic National Committee.

D.C. Democrats will select the delegates at a separate caucus on Feb. 13.